Due to intimidation and threats, Dutch finance minister Kaag has announced her retirement from politics. She is acting out of concern for her family’s well-being, she said.
Dutch Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag has announced her withdrawal from politics because of threats and hatred towards her. She acts out of concern for her family’s well-being, the 61-year-old told a Dutch newspaper. “My work was a heavy burden on my husband and children.” She will leave politics after the new elections in the fall. The past time has been accompanied by “hatred, intimidation and threats,” Kaag said.
The political environment has become “toxic”.
In May, Kaag complained that the environment for politicians in the Netherlands had become “toxic”. She and many of her colleagues are constantly threatened and therefore often in need of massive personal protection. According to Dutch media, Kaag is also under strict protection by the security forces. Last year, an opponent of vaccination waved a torch in front of her house.
On a recent TV show, Kaag’s two daughters spoke about their mother’s concerns about the threats. The daughters asked the finance minister to withdraw from politics because they feared for their safety.
The minister was visibly moved by this. “I won’t give up because my safety is an issue for me.” But it’s a problem for your family. “It has placed a great burden on my family.” It was difficult for her at times, but “bearable,” she continued. “It’s different for my family.” She had decided “not to run for party leader”.
Dutch politicians retire
Kaag was Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation from 2017 to 2021 and was Minister of Foreign Affairs for a short period. The politician belongs to the center-left D66 party, which was involved in the four-party coalition led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte that fell apart last week.
The party vehemently opposed Rutte’s plans to tighten rules for asylum seekers, which led to the government’s departure. In addition to Kaag, other high-ranking politicians also announced their withdrawal after the ruling coalition fell apart.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Rutte announced that he would retire from politics once a new government was sworn in. Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra had announced that he would give up leadership of the Christian Democratic CDA party. With Kaag, another member of the current government now turns his back on politics.